FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to novel fabric conditioning compounds derived from glycerol
and betaine which are effective softeners and are biodegradable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Biodegradable quaternary ammonium salts such aN,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N,-dimethylammonium
chloride and 1,2-ditallowyloxy-3-trimethylammonio propane chloride have been developed
as described in U.S. Patents No. 4,137,180; 4,767,547 and 4,789,491.
[0003] Because of softening properties and ease of processing, a preferred biodegradable
quaternary ammonium salt is a diester compound of the formula described in Column
1 of U.S. Patent No. 4,137,180.
[0004] It has been discovered, however, that many of the diester compounds described above
degrade to a monoester form which in certain levels can be aquatically toxic. Moreover,
when the diester compounds are processed with relatively large quantities of alcohol
the obtained compounds are more likely to form monoester degradation intermediates.
[0005] Thus, the need exists for novel fabric conditioning agents whose degradation products
do not form monoester quaternary intermediates and thus are also environmentally friendly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is thus an objective of the invention to provide novel compounds which are effective
fabric conditioners and whose degradation products are not aquatically toxic.
[0007] It is another objective of the invention to provide compositions containing such
compounds which yield excellent fabric softening and anti-static results.
[0008] Another object is to provide novel compounds which may be formulated in a variety
of physical forms, such as liquid, solid, paste, granular, powder or in conjunction
with a detergent active for a single washing and softening product.
[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a process for conditioning fabrics
which yield good softening and anti-static results using the novel compounds of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] The present invention relates to novel cationic compounds having a formula:

wherein
R₁ is a C₁₅ to C₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl; and
R₂ and R₃ are each a C₁₅ to C₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl, a hydroxyalkyl
or a trimethylammoniomethyl, provided that only one trimethylammoniomethyl moiety
is present in the molecule; and
X is a water soluble anion;
or compounds of formula
II:

wherein R₁ and
X are as described above for compounds of formula
I.
[0011] Preferred compounds of formula
I include those wherein R₂ is a trimethylammoniomethyl and R₁ and R₃ are each independently
a C₁₅ to C₂₂ straight chain alkyl. Also preferred are compounds wherein R₃ is a trimethylammoniomethyl
and R₁ and R₂ are each independently a branched C₁₅ to C₂₂ alkyl chain.
[0012] Most preferred compounds of formula
I include those wherein R₂ is a trimethylammoniomethyl and R₁ and R₂ are each a straight
chain C₁₅ to C₂₂ alkyl.
[0013] Examples of suitable compounds of formula
I within the composition are 1,3- dioctadecanoyloxy-2-(N,N,N-trimethylammonioacetyloxy)propane,
chloride (i.e., 1,3-distearoyl 2-betainyl glycerol chloride); and 1,2-distearoyl 3-betainyl
glycerol, chloride.
[0014] Preferred compounds of formula
II include those wherein R₁ is a C₁₅₋₂₂ straight chain alkyl. A compound of formula
II which is suitable for the invention includes 2,2- diheptadecyl-4-(N,N,N-trimethylammonioacetyloxy)methyl
1,3-dioxolane, chloride (i.e., 2,2- diheptadecyl 1,3-dioxolane 4-methyl betaine ester
chloride salt).
[0015] The anion X⁻ in the molecule is preferably an anion of a strong acid and can be,
for example, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate and methyl sulfate; the anion may
carry a double charge in which case X⁻ represents half a group.
Preparation
[0016] Compounds of formula
I are prepared by reacting glycerol and an acid chloride in the presence of pyridine
in a suitable solvent, such as ether, in a temperature range of about -5°C to 5°C.
A 1,3 fatty acyl glycerol is formed.
[0017] The resulting fatty acyl glycerol is reacted with a betaine compound in the presence
of pyridine to form the desired compounds.
[0018] Fatty acyl glycerol can also be obtained through the hydrolysis of fat.
[0019] Compounds of formula
II are prepared by reacting a glycerol ketal with a betaine compound in the presence
of pyridine in a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents include methylene chloride, chloroform
and toluene. The mixture is heated to a temperature of 35°C to 50°C for at least eight
hours. The glycerol ketal starting materials are known in the art.
Fabric Conditioning Compositions
[0020] The novel compounds may be formulated in a variety of physical forms to form a fabric
conditioning composition. Such a composition would comprise from about 1 to about
99 wt. % of a compound of formula
I, a compound of formula
II or a mixture thereof; and from about 1 to about 99 wt. % water. Preferred compounds
for aqueous compositions would contain up to about 40% of the active compounds.
[0021] Such compositions may be prepared by any conventional method known in the art.
Additional Fabric Conditioning Components
[0022] It may be understood that the compounds of the invention may be combined with conventional
fabric conditioning components to form a mixture of fabric conditioning actives useful
in preparing fabric conditioning compositions. Such conventional conditioning agents
include acyclic quaternary ammonium salts such as ditallowdimethylammonium salts,
cyclic quaternary ammonium salts, particularly those of the imidazolinium type, diamido
quaternary ammonium salts, tertiary fatty amines having at least 1 and preferably
2 C₈ to C₃₀ alkyl chains, carboxylic acids having 8 to 30 carbon atoms and one carboxylic
group per molecule, esters of polyhydric alcohol such as sorbitan esters or glycerolstearate,
fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty amines, mineral oils,
polyols such as polyethyleneglycol, silicone oils and mixtures thereof. Suitable conventional
fabric conditioning compounds are described in Taylor et al., US Patent No. 5,254,269,
herein incorporated by reference.
Optional Components
[0023] Additionally, one or more optional additives may be incorporated in the fabric conditioning
composition selected from the group consisting of perfumes, dyes, pigments, opacifiers,
germicides, optical brighteners, fluorescers, anti-corrosion agents and preservatives.
The amount of each additive in the composition is up to about 0.5% by weight.
Detergent Formulations
[0024] It has been found that the conditioning compositions of the present invention can
be incorporated into both granular and liquid detergent formulations with little detrimental
effect on cleaning.
[0025] The compositions are typically used at levels up to about 30% of the detergent composition,
preferably from about 5 to 20% of the composition.
Detergent Surfactant
[0026] Detergent surfactant included in the detergent formulations of the invention may
vary from 1% to about 98% by weight of the composition depending on the particular
surfactant(s) used and the cleaning effects desired.
[0027] Preferably, the surfactant is present in an amount of from about 10 to 60% by weight
of the composition. Combinations of anionic, preferably alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxylated
sulfates, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, and nonionic, preferably alkyl polyethoxylated
alcohol surfactants are preferred for optimum cleaning, softening and antistatic performance.
It may be appreciated that other classes of surfactants such as ampholytic, zwitterionic
or cationic surfactants may also be used as known in the art. As generally known,
granular detergents incorporate the salt forms of the surfactants while liquid detergents
incorporate the acid form where stable. Examples of surfactants within the scope of
the invention are described in U.S. 4,913,828 issued to Caswell et al., herein incorporated
by reference.
[0028] Builders, accumulating agents and soil release agents known in the art may also be
used in the detergent formulations. Examples of suitable such components are described
in Caswell et al., U.S. 4,913,828, herein incorporated by reference.
Other Optional Detergent Ingredients
[0029] Optional ingredients for the detergent compositions of the present invention other
than those discussed above include hydrotropes, solubilizing agents, suds suppressers,
soil suspending agents, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners,
germicides, pH adjusting agents, enzyme stabilizing agents, bleaches, bleach activators,
perfumes and the like.
[0030] The following non-limiting examples illustrate the compounds, compositions and method
of the present invention. All percentages, parts and ratios used herein are by weight
unless otherwise specified.
EXAMPLE 1
Preparation of 1,3-distearoyl glycerol
[0031] In a 2000 mL 3-necked round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, glycerol
(17.0 g, 0.185 mole) and pyridine (29.3 g, 0.370 mole) were added to 500 mL ethyl
ether. The vessel was cooled to 0°C with an ice/water bath. Stearoyl chloride (111
g, 0.185 mole) was slowly added to the chilled reaction vessel via an addition funnel.
A white precipitate formed during the addition of the acid chloride. Once the addition
was complete, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirring
was continued for 24 hours.
[0032] After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was filtered and a white solid was collected.
The crude product was dissolved in 1000 mL of CHCl₃ and the solution washed two times
with 500 mL of water. The chloroform solution was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and chilled
at 0°C for 2 hours. A white solid was collected after filtering the organic layer.
Yield of the product after recrystallization was 30%. Purity was 98% (NMR).
200 MHz NMR: CDCl₃, δ4.18 (4H, m), δ1.90 (4H, t), δ1.80-0.70 (66H, b).
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of 1,3-dioctadecanoyloxy-2-(N,N,N-trimethylammonioacetyloxy)propane, chloride
(i.e., 1,3-distearoyl 2-betainyl glycerol chloride)
[0033] Note: N-chlorobetainyl chloride was prepared as described in
Organic Synthesis, Vol IV, pp. 154-156, herein incorporated by reference.
[0034] In a 1000 mL 3-necked round-bottomed flask equipped with magnetic stirrer and reflux
condenser in which the upper end was protected with a calcium chloride drying tube,
1,3-distearoyl glycerol (41.3 g, 0.066 mole) and pyridine (10.5 g, 0.132 mole) were
dissolved in 600 mL of methylene chloride. N-chlorobetainyl chloride (13.1 g, 0.076
mole) was slowly added to the reaction vessel. The reaction mixture was brought to
reflux. After approximately 30 minutes the reaction was complete as monitored by NMR.
The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was rotary evaporated to a brown
solid. The solid was dissolved in 600 mL of CHCl₃ and the solution was then washed
with 600 mL of water. The organic layer was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and rotary
evaporated to a solid. The solid was recrystallized from acetonitrile. Yield was 91%.
Purity 95% (NMR).
200 MHz NMR: CDCl₃, δ5.18 (1H, t), δ4.895 (2H, s), δ4.40 (2H, d of d), δ4.05 (2H,
d of d), δ3.60 (9H, s), δ2.31 (4H, t), δ1.7-0.5 (66H, b).
EXAMPLE 3
Preparation of 1,2-distearoyl 3-betainyl glycerol, chloride
[0035] Note: N-chlorobetainyl chloride was prepared as described in
Organic Synthesis, Vol IV, pp. 154-156, herein incorporated by reference.
[0036] Following the procedure described in Example 2, 1,2-diglyceride (3.00 g, 4.80 mmol)
and pyridine (0.83mL, 10.3 mmol) were dissolved in 150 mL of methylene chloride. To
this was added 1.65 g (9.60 mmol) N-chlorobetainyl chloride. The reaction mixture
was stirred and heated to reflux for one hour. After this time, the heat was removed
and the reaction mixture was filtered. The filtrate was removed under reduced pressure
leaving a white solid. This solid was solubilized in 125 mL of chloroform and washed
once with 75 mL of water. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted
twice with 100 mL of chloroform. The organic layers were combined and dried over magnesium
sulfate. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate placed under reduced pressure.
The resulting solid was recrystallized from 150 mL of acetonitrile, affording a white,
solid precipitate, 2.7 g which represents a 74% yield.
EXAMPLE 4
Preparation of 2,2-diheptadecyl-4-(N,N,N-trimethylammonioacetyloxy)methyl, 1,3-dioxolane,
chloride
[0037] 2,2-diheptadecyl 1,3-dioxolane 4-methanol was prepared as described in Jaeger, D.
et al., JACS, 1989, v. 111, pp. 3001-3006, herein incorporated by reference. N-chlorobetainyl
chloride was prepared as described in
Organic Synthesis, Vol. IV, pp. 154-156, herein incorporated by reference.
[0038] In a 1000 mL 3-necked round-bottomed flask equipped with magnetic stirrer and reflux
condenser which has a calcium chloride drying tube attached to the end, 2,2-diheptadecyl
1,3-dioxolane 4-methanol (16 g, 0.0289 mole) and pyridine (4.5 g, 0.06 mole) were
added to 450 mL of toluene. The solution was heated to 45°C. N-chlorobetainyl chloride
(19 g, 0.03 mole) was added to the solution and the resulting mixture was heated at
45°C for 8 hours. The reaction was then filtered and the filtrate was rotary evaporated
to a white solid. The crude product was recrystallized from acetonitrile and then
acetone to give a 61% yield. Purity 95% (NMR).
200 MHz: CDCl₃, δ5.06 (2H, s), δ4.22 (3H, m), δ3.64 (11H, s), δ1.71-0.82 (70H, b).
EXAMPLE 5
Hydrolysis of 1,3-distearoyl 2-betainyl glycerol, chloride
[0039] A 5% dispersion was prepared by dispersing 1 gram of the cationic 1,3-distearoyl
2-betainyl glycerol, chloride in about 19 g of water at 60°C. The dispersion was allowed
to cool and was analyzed for the percentage by weight of cationic over the course
of several days; the active appeared stable in this dispersion at room temperature.
[0040] The hydrolysis was conducted at both pH 7 and pH 9 in separate room temperature experiments;
that is, the cationic dispersion was delivered into an aqueous phosphate/NaOH buffer
(50 mM) in the former and an aqueous borate buffer (12.5 mM) in the latter. In both
cases, 1.4 g of cationic dispersion was delivered into a 1 L aqueous reaction medium
to achieve an approximate 0.07 g/L (70 ppm) active level. Once this was accomplished,
a 10 mL aliquot of solution was removed from the stock at 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 30
minutes and 60 minutes. These aliquots were extracted with 5 mL chloroform (4x) to
extract the active and its hydrolysis products from the aqueous layer into an organic
solvent. In order to obtain a "time 0" point, a separate sample of cationic dispersion
was diluted in chloroform to achieve an approximate 70 ppm solution and this wa injected
onto the HPLC system. This allowed us to observe any nonionic that was present in
the cationic sample prior to hydrolysis. Any nonionic found was subtracted out from
the nonionic observed in successive timed runs. The chloroform extracts were combined
and the volume was adjusted to 25 mL and then injected into the LC system to determine
its contents as follows:
Table 1
| Hydrolysis of 1,3-distearoyl 2-betainyl glycerol |
| Time (minutes) |
pH 7 ppm cationic |
pH9 ppm cationic |
| 0 |
66 |
66 |
| 2 |
65 |
0 |
| 10 |
60 |
0 |
| 30 |
53 |
0 |
| 60 |
37 |
0 |
[0041] As can be seen from the foregoing table, the cationic active was not stable at pH
9. It decomposed in the first two minutes at room temperature. The LC analysis indicated
that only diglyceride was formed and that no fatty acid was produced. Thus the betaine
moiety was hydrolyzed from the product, leaving only diglyceride. Since no fatty acid
was produced, no alkyl chains have been hydrolyzed from the cationic and no monoalkyl
quaternary moiety formation has occurred. As noted earlier, it is known that a monoester
quaternary ammonium compound is aquatically toxic.
[0042] At pH7, the same pattern was seen except the rate of hydrolysis was much slower.
Only diglyceride formed with time. At typical rinse pH's, this molecule was quite
stable. After one hour, 56% of the starting cationic still remained.
Example 6
[0043] A dispersion in water containing 5% of 1,3-distearoyl 2-betainyl glycerol, chloride
is prepared. 50 mL of the dispersion dispersed in 15 liters of 240 ppm hard water
at 20°C would form an aqueous fabric conditioner product.
Example 7
[0044] A formulation containing 20% by weight 2,2-diheptadecyl-4-(N,N,N-trimethylammonioacetyloxy)methyl
1,3-dioxolane, chloride salt and 6.5% by weight dihydrogenated tallow dimethylammonium
chloride is prepared by comelting the two components. Sulfuric acid is added to deionized
water at a temperature of about 160°F to form an acid solution. The comelted premixture
is then added to the acidified water with stirring to form a homogeneous mixture at
a temperature of 160°F. Calcium chloride is added when the product is cooled to a
temperature of 120°F to obtain a viscosity of less than about 200 cps.
1. A compound useful as a fabric conditioner having a formula

wherein
R₁ is a C₁₅ to C₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl; R₂
and R₃ are each a C₁₅ to C₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl, a hydroxyalkyl
or a trimethylammoniomethyl, provided that only one trimethylammoniomethyl moiety
is present in the molecule, and X is a water soluble anion.
2. The compound according to claim 1 wherein R₂ is a trimethylammoniomethyl moiety and
R₁ and R₃ are each a C₁₅ to C₂₂ straight chain alkyl.
3. The compound according to claim 1 R₃ is a trimethylammoniomethyl moiety and R₁ and
R₂ are each independently a branched or straight chain alkyl having 15 to 22 carbons.
4. The compound according to claim 1 wherein X is selected from a group consisting of
a halide, a methyl sulfate, a sulfate and a nitrate.
5. The compound according to claim 4 wherein X is selected from the group consisting
of a chloride, a bromide, an iodide, a sulfate and a methyl sulfate.
6. The compound according to claim 1 wherein the compounds are 1,3- dioctadecanoyloxy-2-(N,N,N-trimethylammonioacetyloxy)propane,
chloride (i.e., 1,3-distearoyl 2-betainyl glycerol chloride); and 1,2-distearoyl 3-betainyl
glycerol, chloride.
7. A compound useful as a fabric conditioner having a formula

wherein R₁ is a C₁₅ to C₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl
and X is a water soluble anion.
8. The compound according to claim 7 wherein R₁ is a straight chain C₁₅₋₂₂ alkyl.
9. A compound according to claim 7 wherein X is selected from a group selected of a halide,
a methyl sulfate, a sulfate and a nitrate.
10. A compound according to claim 7 wherein the compound is 2,2-diheptadecyl-4-(N,N,N-trimethylammonioacetyloxy)methyl
1,3-dioxolane, chloride.
11. A composition for conditioning fabrics comprising:
a. 1 to 99 wt.% of a fabric conditioning compound of formula

wherein R₁ is
a C₁₅₋₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl; R₂ and R₃ are
each a C₁₅ to C₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl, a hydroxyalkyl or a
trimethylammoniomethyl, provided that only one trimethylammoniomethyl moiety is present
in the molecule, and X is a water soluble anion,
or a compound of formula

wherein R₁ and X are as defined above for formula I,
and mixtures of compounds of formula I and II; and
b. 99% to 1% water.
12. The composition according to claim 11 wherein R₁ is a straight chain C₁₅₋₂₂ alkyl.
13. A composition according to claim 11 wherein X is selected from a group consisting
of a halide, a methyl sulfate, a sulfate and a nitrate.
14. The composition according to claim 13 wherein X is selected from a group consisting
of a chloride, a bromide, an iodide, a sulfate and a methyl sulfate.
15. A method of conditioning fabrics comprising contacting the fabrics with a composition
having 1 to 99 wt.% of a compound of formula

wherein R₁ is a
C₁₅₋₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl; R₂ and R₃ are
each a C₁₅ to C₂₂ branched or straight chain alkyl or alkenyl, a hydroxyalkyl or a
trimethylammoniomethyl, provided that only one trimethylammoniomethyl moiety is present
in the molecule, and X is a water soluble anion,
or a compound of formula

wherein R₁ and X are as defined above for formula
I,
and mixtures of compounds of formula
I and
II; and
99% to 1% water
to condition the fabrics during a laundering process.